After last week’s win over Auburn that saw Dan Mullen’s Mississippi State team (2-0, 1-0) finally get over the hump of not beating anyone else in the western division of the SEC not named Mississippi – the message was clear from the fourth year head coach; celebrate then move on as we are just getting started. Now Mullen did not say exactly those words but he knows you cannot linger on one win or you will be slapped in the mouth.

Mississippi State takes to the road for the first time this year traveling to Troy Alabama to take on the Trojan’s (1-1) in a game that will mark the first time a Southeastern Conference team has ever played at Troy’s Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Dan Mullen spoke of this inguinal trip during his weekly press conference and knows if his team isn’t ready – they could be running into a buzz saw.

“I know they’ve had some big home wins over the BCS schools in the past, so their guys at Troy know how to play and know how to win games, know how to do it at home. We’re expecting a hostile environment when we get in there. They’re a very explosive team. We’re going to have to come out, play very well on both sides of the ball and deal with that adversity of being on the road for the first time this year.”

The Trojan’s come into this game with a very explosive offense averaging just over 31 points per game but are giving up just over 33 on the defensive side of the ball. Wide receiver Trip Reeves leads the Trojan attack with 10 catches for 133 yards in this still young season. This will be a different test for the Bulldog defense and particularly the MSU secondary.

Offensively the Bulldogs hope to continue to show balance in running the football and throwing it as getting off to a fast start and taking the crowd out of the game will be key. Every Bulldog remembers 2001 – a year that saw Troy come into Starkville and win 21-9. Likewise in 2002 the Bulldogs escaped with an 11-8 win over the Trojans.

This is a game that the Bulldogs cannot take lightly. This is a game the Bulldogs need to get control of early or it could get interesting.

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Written by Jake Wimberly
Mississippi State alum, co-founder of makeitrainsports, co-host to makeitrainsports radio on Rebel sports radio and Bulldog sports radio all on the Vsporto Network. Lover of SEC Sports, fitness and married to my best friend. Enjoy ketchup in large amounts and in search for a flying unicorn.